It’s easy to get lost in the natural beauty of Cuyahoga County, Ohio with its stunning falls, the Cuyahoga River, botanical gardens, and many more.
If you’re into outdoor excursions, the county also doesn’t disappoint!
It was named for the Cuyahoga River, which is an Iroquoian word for “crooked river.”
The land that the county occupies was part of the French colony of Canada and was renamed the Province of Quebec in 1763.
It was officially founded in 1810 with the City of Cleveland as the county seat.
It’s the second-most populous county in Ohio with a population of 1,264,817 as of the 2020 census.
Bask in the sun at one of its water parks, sit at a coffee shop for your favorite cup, read a book at a public library, or hike the trails.
These are just among the fun and exciting activities that await you.
Here’s a round-up list of the best things to do in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
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If you love the water, the best place to go is Edgewater Park, which is located on Lake Erie with beaches and a fishing pier.
The 147-acre park also offers 9000 feet of shoreline, boat ramps, dog and swim beaches, picnic areas with grills, and a pavilion for rent.
You can paddle in the water with your paddleboard, kayak, or canoe, go boating and sailing, and launch at one of the park’s boat ramps.
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There are also lifeguards on duty to ensure everything and everyone is safe.
If you love fishing, there’s a designated area for it, and enjoy the sunset while casting your line at the pier.
Edgewater Park also features a seasonal nature shop, where you can rent cabanas, lounge chairs, and umbrellas, or buy some gifts and souvenirs, snacks, and more.
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Located in Westwood Shopping Plaza, AMC Westwood Town Center 6 is the best place in the area to catch a movie you’ve been anticipating watching.
The theater features comfortable reclining seats with enough leg room, and high-performance sound, and also offers IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and Prime.
It shows first-run movies, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a blockbuster.
Also, the concession stands offer delicious popcorn and other snacks and drinks to enjoy while you’re watching the movie.
AMC Westwood Town Center 6 also has a Coke freestyle machine, which everyone loves!
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If you’re musically inclined, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland, on the shores of Lake Erie, has an amazing collection and exhibit of historic musicians.
Exhibits with cool memorabilia include The Beatles, Eminem, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, and many more.
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Among the interesting stuff you can find here are Presley’s motorcycle, Marley’s beanie, and Jackson’s “Thriller” jacket.
There’s also a spot here where you can play pinball, as well as play musical instruments.
Founded in 1983, Ahmet Ertegun established the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with prominent members like Rolling Stone magazine publisher Jann S. Wenner.
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If you’re traveling with kids in tow, they can also have their time of life at Preston’s H.O.P.E. Playground Park, which is popular with families with smaller kids.
The park has an extensive playground with an Imagination Village, which features make-believe houses linked by a raised walkway with a sand area, and a play theater.
There’s also a traditional playground area, where kids can enjoy the swings, slides, and tunnels, which are all perfect for preschoolers and even the bigger kids.
Preston’s H.O.P.E. Playground Park was designed for kids with all abilities and disabilities.
It was created as a memory of a boy named Preston, who was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at only ten months, and passed away before he was 12 in 2008.
Despite his disability, he was able to operate his wheelchair when he was only 18 months old and participated in many competitions and activities whether he was a fan or the referee.
The park is located on the Mandel JCC’s Beachwood campus in Beachwood.
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In Bedford’s Viaduct Park sits the Great Falls of Tinkers Creek; a gorgeous urban falls in a deep gorge, which was declared a National Natural Landmark.
The 15-foot waterfalls are surrounded by old-growth trees and spectacular wildflowers with hiking trails, and even mountain biking and horseback riding.
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On the 2,200-acre reservation, you can enjoy a picnic or play golf at its Shawnee Hills Golf Course.
Great Falls of Tinkers Creek is also close to the mill ruins with several tunnels to explore.
There’s also a spot, where you can jump off a rock into the water, as well as a couple of watering holes to swim in.
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With a huge selection of fresh produce from Northeast Ohio, Miles Farmers Market in Solon is where you can enjoy plenty of fresh food.
Here, you can fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, baked goods, and many more.
Don’t miss out on its popular old-fashioned Deli, the delicious fried chicken, sushi, and ribs, as well as a great selection of wines.
Its wine section is recognized as “An Outstanding Wine Shop” by Wine Spectator.
Miles Farmers Market also has a custom-cut Butcher Shop.
If you love guns and extreme adventures, Select Fire would be the perfect place for you.
The firing range features ten bays, which are all monitored electronically with Certified Range Safety Officers watching over the range to ensure safety.
You’ll have to watch a 15-minute safety video before you work on the range with the help of the instructors.
The staff will show you different kinds of guns you may use at the range.
Select Fire also features four lanes, which are all rifle-capable with up to 762X39MM ammunition.
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Established in 2000, Cuyahoga Valley National Park offers the best flora and fauna that Ohio can offer.
The 32,572-acre park houses different species of wildlife, including raccoons, bats, coyotes, muskrats, beavers, foxes, bad eagles, blue herons, and many more.
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Lush forests, beautiful rolling hills, scenic trails, stocked fish ponds, waterfalls, amazing rock formations, and wetlands are among the great things that make up the park.
The park is home to native plants and deep forests that you can explore.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park lies along the gorgeous Cuyahoga River.
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For traveling families with kids, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is the best place to visit while in the Bay Village area.
The center features live animal exhibits, a planetarium, a park along the Lake Erie shores, wildlife services, and a nature-based preschool.
Kids will love seeing live animals like snakes, birds, fish, turtles, lizards, bald eagles, and many more.
You can also enjoy the walking trails that lead to the lake.
Lake Erie Nature & Science Center takes you to the natural world in an informal setting.
Every year, Middleburg Heights hosts a variety of festivals such as Oktoberfest, which draws many tourists from around the country.
But the biggest and most celebrated festival here is the Cuyahoga County Fair; a week-long celebration with an abundance of entertainment, exhibit, food, and a whole lot of fun.
There’s also a flea market where you can buy lots of stuff at decent prices.
The festival features live music, arts & crafts, harness racing, beauty pageants, lots of rides, kid-friendly activities, and many exciting activities for the whole family.
Originally called the West Cuyahoga County Fair in 1893, the Cuyahoga County Fair prides itself on its rich history and heritage, which you can see feel and see at the festival.
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Cuyahoga County is filled with wonders and whimsical tourist attractions, including the beautiful Brecksville Reservation.
The park encompasses 3,026 acres of diverse ecosystems, including a river plain, fields, forests, and seven distinct gorges.
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Rare and endangered plants are found here, which are all nurtured by amazing soil and sunlight conditions.
Chippewa Creek flows through the park, which is also made up of beautiful oak-hickory forests, willows, sycamores, and cottonwoods.
Brecksville Reservation also features a section of the Buckeye Trail.
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If golfing is your thing, you can enjoy playing at Seneca Golf Course, which nestles on 350 acres of wooded land.
The 36-hole golf course features challenging greens and fairways with notable holes, including holes number 3 and 8 with great fairway bunkers.
There are 5 sets of tee boxes at the park-style golf course, which make it even more ideal for any level of golfer.
Seneca Golf Course also hosts tournaments since its establishment in 1940.
It’s also popular for its long par fours and fives.
Lessons and rentals are also offered at the golf course.
Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
In a warm atmosphere with New Orleans-style digs, you get to enjoy a mouthwatering Creole and Cajun menu and specialty drinks by Louisiana native Johnny Schulze.
The Bourbon Street Barrel Room is popular for its delicious beignets, gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish etouffee, and many more.
There are also 30 rotating craft beers from around the world and New Orleans classic cocktails to choose from.
Its delicious dessert cream brulee is also not to be missed!
Look out for the Happy Hour at The Bourbon Street Barrel Room and enjoy great discounts on food and drinks.
For more than six decades, b.a. Sweetie Candy Company has been offering all things sweet in the Cleveland area.
It has a bit of everything that a sweet tooth would ever dream of such as jelly beans, chocolate-covered goodies, mints, lollypops, and a lot more.
There are bulk candies, boxes, and lots of sweetened stuff that you can think of displayed in aisles.
Many locals and tourists would compare b.a. Sweetie Candy Company with the fictional character Willy Wonka’s The Wonka Chocolate Factory.
The candy store also features a soda fountain, an ice cream shop, and a mini golf.
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The great outdoors are nature’s healing and if you’re in the North Olmsted area, Rocky River Reservation is a great spot to enjoy nature at its best.
There are plenty of activities to enjoy at the reservation, including kayaking, biking, fishing, and hiking or jogging along the scenic trails.
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You can see huge shale cliffs at the reservation that tower above the cottonwoods, sycamores, and willows.
Numerous bird species and Ohio mammals like the white-tailed deer are fostered at Rocky River Reservation.
It’s part of Ohio’s Emerald Necklace, which proves that it’s indeed a gem in the county and state.
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After a long day of exploring the county, hang out with your family and friends at Teamz Restaurant & Bar where you can enjoy delicious food and specialty drinks with TVs to watch sports.
The sports bar features a spacious and heated outdoor patio, where you can enjoy and hang out with a drink in hand.
Its large bar area offers a great selection of beers and specialty drinks.
Try its famous wings and cabbage rolls, and enjoy doing karaoke on weekends.
Teamz Restaurant & Bar also features live music and hosts special events.
Cuyahoga County; a charming crowned jewel in Ohio is made up of one of the best communities in the country.
From natural wonders to fine dining, there are plenty of wonderful things to do in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
So, pack your bags and experience the best adventures in this beautiful county!
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